Baby chair



Aug.18, 1925. I 1,550,553

. C. MACKLEM A.

' BABY CHAIR Filed March 20. 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 If y;

ZISIVEZSZTOR ATTJS.

Patented Aug. 18 1925.

UNITED STATES.

} v 1,550,553 PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT C. MACKLEM, O'FCLEVELAND, OHIO.

BABY CHAIR.

Application filed March 20, 1923. Serial No. 626,341.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RoBnR'r C. MAGKLEM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in a Baby Chair, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates more particularly to a baby chair which is adapted for use either in single or multiple units. When arranged for individual use, my invention contemplates a foldable chair which when open provides commodious spaceand when closed occupies about the same space as a suitcase.

In addition, my invention is directed toward the provision of a chair having a flexwill be hereinafter described in connection with the accompanying drawings and the essential features will'be summarized in the claims. I

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a chair embodying my invention when used as a community play chair; Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the chair shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section taken through one of the compartments;

' Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a foldable chair having the table partially open and having the sides extended; Fig. 5 is a longitudinal transverse section taken through the chair shown in Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a view showing the chair on edge indicating the foldable side and end portions; and Fig. 7 is a perspective View of the chair in folded position.

' Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, wherein my invention is illustrated as a stationary play chair, I have shown a plurality of compart ments arranged side byside and on opposite sides of a central play table. Each compartment embodies a seat 10 which is removably secured to the chair. as upon brackets 11 and 12, and which is provided with openings 13 and 14 through which the legs of a child extend. The preferred form of seat attachment is illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 by rods 15 and 16 which extend through hems in opposite ends of the seat and which engage the brackets as illustrated. With this form of attachment, the weight of the child tends to hold the rods in contact with the brackets. 1

A chair embodying my invention may be made in either single or multiple units but in Fig. 1, the multiple unit is illustrated as -having compartments 20 arranged side by side in one row, and compartments 21 simi-- larly arranged in another row on the opposite side of a central play table 24. The compartments may be separated by partitions 22 and 28 respectively which may comprise transverse braces 32 shown in Fig. 2.

These braces preferably extend beneath the which when open provides a satisfactory seat of adjustable height, and when closed w provides a compact portable package. This form of my invention embodies a frame having side members 40 and 41 and end members 42 and 43' which are disposed in the shape of a rectangle. On one side of the frame, I provide a pair of transverse members 44 and 45 which are spaced apart sufficiently to provide a seat for the child. The seat 46 is also flexible and is provided with openings 47 for receiving the legs of the child and is moreover arranged to be removably attached to the members 44 and 45 respectively. The preferred form of attaching the seat is substantially the same as heretoforedescribed.

Positioned across the opening intermediate the members 44 and 45, I provide a closure 50 which may be hinged to the member 44 adjacent the opening and may be provided with a flange 51 extending around the marginal edges thereof so as to provide a play table 'when open. On the opposite sides of the opening, I prefer to employ a back-rest 52 which is shown as hinged to the member 45. The back rest is preferably arranged to be lowered and locked against the member 45 so as to provide a smooth uninterrupted surface when the chair is folded. To accomplish this, I have shown a pair of lid 1,550,553

the table embodies a lost motion connection to permit movement of the table through 180 degrees while the back rest is permitted to move only a fractional part thereof.

To close the side of the frame opposite the table, I have shown a pair of closure members 60 and 61 which extend longitudinally of the fran'ie and constitute extensions of the members it) and it resoectively. These extension pieces when folded enclose the side of the frame as in Fig, 7. To retain the members and (Si in open position, 1 have shown a pair of hinged end members (52 and 63 which extend transversely of the frame and which when open constitute extensions of the end members t2 and i3, respectively, of the frame. These end extension sections are preferably hinged to the side extension sections and may be' operatively connected by rings 64' and respectively. In extended position, "he end extension sections rest upon the edges of the end members of the frame as shown in 5, and thus prevent the chair from collapsmg.

When the chair is in open position, it may be supported upon the lowermost edges of the extension portions. To adjust the height however, I may employ extensible legs or stand .s and Ti which are hinged to the sides of the frame and are adapted to be folded within the frame whence the chair is closed. These legs are shown as hinged at 72 and "Z3 respectively on pivots spaced inwardly from the ends 12 and L3 respectively, wherefore the normal inclination of the legs tends to prevent collapsing when the chair is in use.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that my invention provides a play chair which is well adapted for use in single or multiple units and when so constructed provides a chair having a removable and flexible seat. Moreover, a chair made according to my invention is light and yet sufficiently strong for the required purpose and is capable of being cheaply manufactured.

I claim 1. A foldable chair comprising a collapsible frame having an opening in one side thereof, a seat disposed within the frame ben th th opening, and a closure for the ClOr' ire being adapted toopen to pro h" re a table when in open pos. ion, said closure and frame cooperating to form an enclosed article when the chair is collapsed' 2. A foldable chair comprising a frame having an opening in one side thereof, a 010- sure for said opening, a seat removably attached to the frame adjacent the openin hinged members on the frame adjacent the opening, one of said members comprising a table, and the other of said members com prising a back rest, and extension members carried by the frame on the side opposite the opening, said members and closure cooperating with the frame to provide an enclosed case when the chair is in folded position.

3. A. foldable chair comprising in combination a. frame having an opening in one side thereof, a flexible seat disposed within the frame adjacent the opening, members hinged to the frame on opposite sides of the opening and comprising a table,-and a back rest respectively, and a lever pivotally connected to one of said members, said lever having a lost motion connected with the other of said members, whereby operation of one controls movement of the other member.

'4. A foldable chair comprising a frame having an opening in one side thereof, a seat carried by the frame and disposed within the opening, a closure for said opening, standards pivoted to the frame beneath the closure and extension members associated with the frame on the side opposite the opening, said members and closure cooperating with the frame to provide an enclosed casing when the chair is in folded position and said members cooperating with the standards to maintain them in extended position when the chair is open.

5. A. foldable chair comprising in combination, a frame having an opening therein, a flexible seat disposed within the frame and across the opening, a closure for the opening, an extensible section carried by the frame, and standards carried by the frame and adapted to be positioned therein when the chair is folded, the standards when in extended position being in engagement with the extensible sections whereby the weight of the: occupant tends to hold the chair in open position.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto aflix my signature.

ROBERT C. MACKLEM. 

